The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is dedicated to uplifting the lives of marginalized Filipinos in the country. While there is no direct “Unemployment Assistance” program, the department offers various forms of support for those without jobs.
Note: Again, there is NO direct cash aid project for the unemployed individuals by DSWD. But there are other dedicated projects which is intended to help people who are in crises situations in the Philippines. Please be guided accordingly.
DSWD Programs that Support Unemployed Filipinos
- Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS): AICS provides immediate aid to those facing difficult circumstances, including medical, burial, transportation, and educational support.
- Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP): SLP empowers participants to start their own livelihood projects, offering a pathway to employment and entrepreneurship.
- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps): 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer initiative that supports the health and education of children in families with unemployed heads.
- Educational Assistance and Supplementary Feeding: The department supports the dependents of the unemployed through educational support and provides meals for daycare children.
- KALAHI-CIDSS and Cash-for-Work: These initiatives engage communities in meaningful development projects and offer temporary employment opportunities.
- Partnerships with TESDA and JobStart Philippines: DSWD collaborates with TESDA to provide vocational training, while JobStart Philippines facilitates the journey from training to employment.
- Counseling and Referrals: The department provides mental health and emotional support, along with referrals to additional services.
Other Government Agencies that Offer Unemployment Support
While the Department of Social Welfare and Development is the primary agency for unemployment support in the Philippines, several other government institutions offer support through their programs and initiatives to aid displaced workers. Here’s a list:
1. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE):
- DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program: Provides temporary employment opportunities and livelihood aid to displaced workers, informal sector workers, and underemployed individuals.
- Strengthening Program for Assistance to Returning Community: Offers financial support and skills development plans to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been repatriated due to job loss or other crisis situations.
- Government Internship Program: Connects college graduates and qualified individuals with internship opportunities in government agencies, providing valuable work experience and potential pathways to employment.
2. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA):
- Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP): Grants scholarships for various vocational and technical skills training initiatives, aiming to enhance qualifications and employability of unemployed individuals.
- Special Training for Employment Project (STEP): Delivers skills training and certification schemes specific to industry needs, improving job-matching and increasing employment opportunities.
3. Social Security System (SSS):
- Unemployment Benefit: Provides temporary income support to SSS members who have lost their jobs due to involuntary reasons, meeting specific eligibility criteria.
- Salary Loan Program: Offers financial aid to eligible SSS members experiencing temporary financial difficulties, including those facing unemployment.
4. PhilHealth:
- Member Sickness and Injury Benefit (MSIB): Provides income support to PhilHealth members who are unable to work due to sickness or injury, including some cases of temporary disability due to unemployment-related accidents.
5. Local Government Units (LGUs):
Many LGUs have their own social welfare initiatives that may offer financial support, skills training, or livelihood opportunities to unemployed residents. It’s advisable to check with your local barangay, municipality, or city for available schemes.
Important Note: Eligibility criteria, application procedures, and benefit amounts may vary for each project. Always contact the respective agency or visit their official websites for detailed information and updates.
Recent Updates
Financial Assistance Provided to Displaced Families in Bislig City through BP2 Program
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to displace families, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Caraga has extended financial aid to families in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Through the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program, a total of PhP278,750 was provided to families who were sent back to their home provinces and municipalities from highly urbanized cities during the health emergency.
The payout for the Transitory Family Support Package was conducted on Tuesday, August 29, at Bislig City Hall, benefiting seven families. The aid extended, expected to sustain their basic necessities for three months, will help them start anew after leaving their lives in the city due to unemployment, quarantine restrictions, and health risks. The local government unit’s endorsement enabled the families to avail of the initiative’s services.
During the payout, KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Coordinator Bennette Dave C. Calo expressed gratitude to the local government unit for their efficient processing of the beneficiaries’ applications. He also reminded the beneficiaries to use the help as intended, as their compliance could make them eligible for other Department projects. The BP2 Program aims to promote countryside development and provide a better future for Filipinos by encouraging urban poor residents of Metro Manila to return to their home provinces.
After facing unemployment and increased health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Irish L. Tubay and her family made the difficult decision to return to their hometown of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur province. With the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program, they received support for transportation and relocation expenses.
In July 2023, Tubay, along with her spouse and two children, arrived in Hinatuan, hopeful for a fresh start. Now, just over a month later, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program, the implementer of BP2, has provided financial help through the Transitory Family Support Package.
Regional Program Coordinator Bennette Dave C. Calo and staff personally handed over the aid, ensuring the family’s basic needs are covered for the next three months. Tubay and her family expressed profound happiness and gratitude, seeing this as an opportunity to build the brighter future they had always dreamed of, right in their hometown.
Video: Paano mag-apply ng tulong sa DSWD? | Patrol ng Pilipino
In times of crisis, the Department of Social Welfare and Development offers a lifeline through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. This provides much-needed support to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Whether it’s a natural disaster, medical emergency, or other unforeseen events, the AICS aims to alleviate the immediate needs of those affected.
From financial support to medical aid and even burial support, the agency is committed to extending a helping hand to those in crisis. Watch this video to learn more about the AICS and how it has made a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals and families in need.
Conclusion
The social welfare department offers a network of support for the unemployed, empowering individuals for long-term self-sufficiency. Reach out to them and take the first step towards regaining your footing and building a sustainable future. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. The agency and its partners are here to support you every step of the way.